Has anyone here had surgery to correct a deviated septum? My ENT highly suggests it prior to going with the CPAP. He says that with the extent of my deviated septum, the air pressure on the CPAP would have to be set higher than normal to efficiently open my airways.

Any thoughts?

Joe

Welcome to Apnea Board, Joe.

I had it, for the same reason. As it was explained to me, the disruption in airflow caused by a deviated septum can lead to an increased pressure requirement.

If the deviation is profound, it can put pressure on the turbinates, which can cause congestion, another reason you might require additional pressure.

Good luck with your therapy!

Carl

I'm 38 and broke my nose in college and again 2 years ago in a softball game. i didnt really know how bad the nasal passageway was. i did the sleep study and had a high RDI of 74.1. they put me on cpap and started talking about removing my supersize tonsils. when i got the cpap i was given a nose mask, and the machine was set to the highest pressure. i complained and really didnt use it much. when i finally went to the ear nose throat guy he was suprised i could breathe through my nose at all. in January i had the tonsils removed and the septum done at the same time. the septum was no big deal at all, easy in fact. the worst was pulling out the packing the next day. the tonsils on the other hand were a bitch. i was out of work two full weeks and was still in some pain a month later, but i was sleeping!!! and having dreams and feeling rested in the morning!! i would do it all over in a heartbeat especially the nose stuff.
e

Hi...I just had septoplasty on my nose. As Ellephant said it was not that bad at all. Believe me it is MUCH better to be breating thru your nose than your mouth when you are on CPAP. I would recommend the surgery, but wait at least three weeks before using CPAP because the nose is still sensitive. Good luck and good breathing.

I had a deviated septum repaired. I found that my CPAP experience as a whole has been much better since the surgery. Good luck!